The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) evaluated the potential hazards pertaining to the storage of waste zeolite and sludge that were used to treat contaminated water. The JAEA concluded that there exists a very low risk of hydrogen fire or hydrogen cyanide poisoning due to the radiolysis reactions occurring in the storage areas.

The investigation and repair of primary containment vessel (PCV) leak locations are indispensable for water filling according to the fuel debris retrieval plan in the “Mid- and-Long-Term Roadmap” and for preventing contaminated water levels from increasing.The progress status of the R&D project for the “inspection/repair of leaking locations using PCV lower-section repair technology” in the subsidy project of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is as follows:

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), a member of IRID, conducted a project of radiochemical analysis of standing trees at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS). This analysis was part of a study to collect and evaluate basic data needed to examine methods to process and dispose of radioactive waste generated at the site. The JAEA led this R&D project with partially funding from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy Ltd. (a member of IRID) and Hitachi Ltd. announced the development of two types of transformer robots that can modify their posture or shape in water or in narrow spaces surrounded by obstacles. These robots will advance to demonstration testing for IRID’s R&D projects, which has following main aims, namely “Inspection of leaking locations of the PCV” and “Investigating the inside of reactor containment vessels. This project is partially funded by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

The “MHI-MEISTeR”, a remotely controlled robot developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) funded by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has completed demonstration testing, and performed decontamination work and concrete core sampling tasks at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS).